UNLOCKING the hidden potential from southern cattle herds and increasing the productivity without increasing risk or cost was the theme of recent More Beef From Pastures field day facilitated by Shorthorn Beef and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
Shorthorn Beef business and promotions manager, Graham Winnell, said the a key factor of profitability is a producer's ability to control costs.
"But we still need to produce an article which is in demand and continues to get a good price," he said.
RaynerAg principal Alastair Rayner, Tamworth, told his audience cost of production has the most significant influence on profitability.
"There is greater scope to improve profitability through increasing production than by reducing costs," Mr Rayner said.
Obviously high prices will impact on profit if they can be achieved without increasing costs, but Mr Rayner said there were many ways beef producers could increase profitability.
"Crossbreeding offers the genetic potential for improvement without increasing cost of production across a range of traits," he said.
Another suggestion was breeding longevity into the herd.
"Keeping cows for an extra year or two can make a big difference to your bottom line," Mr Rayner said.
But he cautioned about spending money just to reach a performance goal.
If you have to spend more to increase profit, is it really worth it?
"Sometimes the cost of extra supplementary feed is not covered by the extra weight gained," Mr Rayner said.
Planned and considered crossbreeding programs are an efficient method of lifting production per hectare without necessarily increasing costs.
Crossbreeding has its production advantages, but "don't expect miracles".
"Think about the breeds you are going to use and most especially the quality of the stock," he said.
"Hybrid vigour will not overcome poor selection decisions."
To help producers capitalize on current increased demand for beef, MLA has introduced a new meat standards Australia (MSA) Index to improve efficiency around the number of days specific cuts need to be aged.
MSA operations manager Terry Farrell said the MSA Index provided the standard measure of potential eating quality of the various cuts.
"The MSA Index has become another processor specification for beef producers to meet," he said.
"So if you are looking for ways to improve your animals, think of the traits you can change with reference to the new index, and select animals with the genetic potential to meet those standards," Mr Farrell said.
Fixed time artificial insemination (AI) was the final topic discussed.
David Plant of Southern Cross Genetics and Bill Cornell of ABS Australia led the audience through the concept and its effect on productivity.
"Inseminating a large number using fixed-time AI saves a lot of time and if a maiden heifer calves in the first three weeks of its calving period, it is 13 per cent more likely to remain in the herd for its breeding life," Mr Plant said.
